Bengaluru: Both China and India are considered as the hubs of start-up movement in Asia.  To attract the best ideas and talent in innovation and entrepreneurship, both countries are making efforts to collaborate in the start-up ecosystem.  Now, the City Government of Shenzhen, China has introduced the first ever China (Shenzhen) Innovation & Entrepreneurship International Competition in India.

Considered as one of the biggest prize in Start-Up Competitions of its kind on the world, the largest prize money for innovation and start-up ideas will fetch the winner RMB 1,000,000 (Approx Rs  one Crore) amongst others.  In addition to India, other Centres of global innovation and entrepreneurship that will be in the fray for top honours include Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and the USA. The competition is supported by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of China. The India Region Round of the Competition shall be organised by Sino India Trade and Culture Promotion Council.

Sino India Trade and Culture Promotion Council informed that the stage competition will consist of three stage.  The entries are now open online (effective 05 January 2017) and shall close on February 28, 2017 at midnight. The shortlisted finalists shall compete in the India Region Finals scheduled for 18 March  and 19 2017 in Bengaluru. The other cities where the regional final rounds will be held include Sydney, Toronto, Munich, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, London and Silicon Valley California. The final round will take place in Shenzhen, China in mid-April 2017.

Announcing the competition, Mr. Paul Cho Kwai Shun, Chairman, Sino India Trade and Culture Promotion Council said, “We have witnessed with excitement the number of innovative startups and enterprise that have come up in India ever since the launch of the ambitious Make in India. This presents a good opportunity for budding talents to compete against each other to win some valuable cash prize.”

 Mr Shun said that the best from India will then get to showcase their abilities at the International Competition in April. Shenzhen is emerging as the Global Capital for Innovation. “We intend to use this opportunity to invite the best of talents in India and its’ neighbouring region to explore the potential of Shenzhen and its neighbouring district Ping Shan. The Shenzhen City Government as well as Ping Shan Govt. has an array of support ranging from venture funding to attractive subsidies offered to the winner and participants of this Competition if they would like to set shop there too,” added he.

As per the plan, the Competition will be held under theme- based five categories: the internet and mobile internet; electronic technology; bio-technology and life sciences; advanced manufacturing and electronic technology; and advanced materials and energy including energy saving and environmental protection.

The participants can be any high-level entrepreneurial team or an individual with innovative ideas and business plans.

The top three winners will be awarded RMB 1 million, RMB 500,000 and RMB 300,000, respectively. The regional finalists will also get three prizes of RMB 100,000, RMB 50,000 and RMB 30,000, respectively.

For more information about the competition, interested co-founders of start-ups or starts can visit:  http://www.cnintcpc.org/